Starting block



April 23 1929.

A. M. BA ON STARTING B CK Filed July 14, y 1928 2'$he8ts s et 1 mlllllllllllllll 7 I INV R: W 04M. 72 I alberf M rron Y ATTORNEY" A. M. BARRON STARTING BLOCK April 23, 1929.

Filed July 14, 1928 2 Sheets- Sheet 2 fits--4-- INVENTOR.

alberf M Barron WITNESSES 2 WM 6km ATTORNEY.

Patented Apr. 23,

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ALBERT M. BARBGN, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIAL';

My invention relat equipment and more p ing block Before starting a ra STARTING BLOCK.

Application filed July 14,

es to running track artlcularly to a startfor use on hard surfaced-tracks.

CG, runners Zll'fi ZICCUS- tomed to dig toe holds in the track or i of the floor,.as indicated i vill enable them to spr round in order to provide a purchase which ing into a quick start.

W' hen running indoors, or on any hard surfaced track, the runner 1s deprived of this advantage.

7 The object of this invention is to provide a starting block which step into a quick start larly adapted for will enable runners to and which is particutraining runners indoors in preparation for outdoor races.

I attam' this 0b]ect by providing a starting block consisting of side pieces, which may be anchored to the floor, and cross-bars agamst which the runner may place his feet,

as more fully described herein and illustrat ed in the accompanying drawings,

in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a starting block embodying my invention,

Figure 2 a fragmentary top view Figure 3 a longitudinal section on line 33 on Figure 1,

Figure 4 an enlarged through one end of a side piece and a section ure 1, and

by line 4 1 on Fig- Figure 5 aplan view of a floor plate and a small section of the floor.

Referring to the drawings, the starting block consists of a pair of side pieces 10 and 11, a front cross-bar 12 and a rear cross-bar 13. In order to ust the block to fit run ners of different heights as wellas to provide means for handi capping runners, the

cross-bars are preferably adjustable'in the side pieces, each of of notches 14: into which cross-bars extend.

Cross-bars of desirable cross-sectional outline are shown 1n the drawlngs,

which may have a series the ends of they cross-bar preferably having a greater width than height and an' inclined face or tread 15, which slopes slightly to the horizontal,

and the rear cross-bar preferably having a greater height than width and an inclined face or tread 16, which slopes sharply to the horizontal, so that a solid bearing of substantial area is pro vided for each of the of same, I

a conveniently be an ordinary fragmentary section the front 1928. Serial No. 292,852;

runners feet when he is in starting position. The length of the cross-bars may be. such that the width of the starting block is equal to the lane in which the'runner is to run or to the width of the hurdles which he is to negotiate.

The notches'may disposed at right angles to the center-lines of the side pieces and the forward edges 18 inclined thereto and the cross-bars have their ends shaped to fit the notches so that they are held solidly against rearward movement slot 22 in a floor plate 23 secured to the floor 25 for accommodat- 24 which has a recess ing the head 26 of the lug; The lug may lag screw having a threaded end 27. When the lugs are moved 'nto the small ends28 of the slots,

the sidepieces can not be moved laterally,

One method of an have their rear edges v17 rearwardly or upwardly but the block may be quickly detached apart when no tion.:

it will be understood that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit thereof and, hence, I do not wish to limit myself to the precise construction set forth but consider that I am at liberty to make such changes and alterations as fairly come within :the scope of the .appendedclaims.

I claim: 1 V

1. A starting block forrunners including side pieces, cross-bars between the side pieces, and means 2. A starting block for runners including side pleces havmg notches, cross-bars 1n the notches, and means for securing the block against movement. l V

from the floor and taken longerneeded at that'loca' While I have illustrated and described one 1 embodiment of my invention,

for securing the block against .movement. 7V

3. A starting block for runners including side pieces, a front cross-bar between the side piece, a rear cross-bar thicker than the front cross-bar, between the side pieces, and means for securing the' 'block against movement.

4. A staftiiigblock for runneis'including side pieces having series of notches, crossbars having their enclsin notches ineach side piece, plates attachable to a floor and having key-hole slots, and lugs secured to the side pieces and adapted to enter the slots for holding the block againstinovenient.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

ALBERT -M. BARRON. 

